"I exist towards the end of another Elizabeth's reign, her sort of golden twilight years. There is a real connection. On stage I am here now, but I am sort of travelling." - Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn has announced he is to release the studio album for his opera 'Dr Dee' on May 7.
The musical polymath recorded the material with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at his West London studios last year.
Albarn's new opera chronicles the life of John Dee - 16th century occultist, mathematician, astrologer, astronomer, alchemist, navigator, imperialist and famously - consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. Initially Albarn was penning the opus with writer Alan Moore (Watchmen, V For Vendetta) - but an unfortunate argument saw an end to the collaboration: "I should dash cold water on anybody's dreams of this Doctor Dee opera with Damon Albarn." Moore confessed, "It didn't work out shall we say."
The argument arose when Moore asked Albarn and Gorillaz illustrator Jamie Hewlett to contribute artwork for his new magazine. They never delivered - claiming they were 'overcommitted' - even after the comic book writer had extended their deadline to accommodate their schedules. In retort Alan Moore decided he was also too busy to bestow his genius upon Albarn's oeuvre: "So actually I decided I had too many commitments as well."
So theatre director Rufus Norris filled in for Alan Moore. He has great experience, beginning his career as a RADA trained actor, before turning with silken ease to the director's chair. He has won many accolades, notably an Olivier Award for his 2004 production of Festen. While not quite having the same knowledge as legendary writer Moore, Rufus still brings a sensitive and accomplished skill set. In addition to the rendition of 'Apple Carts' we have posted a trailer featuring the fledgling stages of Norris' production. The opera has proved to be intoxicating, well researched and crafted with meticulous care.
Blur and Gorillaz vocalist Albarn has been interested in John Dee for many years - and cites an overwhelming affinity with the period of British history: "I've got a really strange emotional connection - it really gets to me, that haunted, magical England. It's something that really stirs me in an irrational way."
The period to which Albarn refers is the closing of the Tudor dynasty that witnessed: "the puritanical purge of all of those esoteric ideas in England". Elizabethan England and its tumultuous relationship with the Holy Roman Empire, was indeed a 'haunted' and 'magical' time. It was a 'Golden Age' of art and academia that witnessed some of world history's greatest achievements. Of these accomplishments, most significant are the advances in science, astronomy and exploration. Drake, Frobisher and Raleigh are the poster-boys for a slew of intrepid explorers who sought the proliferation of the 'British Empire' (a term often accredited to John Dee). Dee arrived in the world amidst this free and ebullient intellectual arena. Since Henry VIII had split from the Roman Catholic Church, academics were allowed to indulge their more liberal ideas. But Dee's pursuit of truth led him to the occult and down the paths of Black Magic - this could still land you in considerable trouble. The study of 'natural magic' was common amongst renaissance men - as this was seen as 'in league' with God. Natural magic was accepted and often encouraged by the church. The channelling of the Christian God through the medium of the hidden spirit world, could deliver good into the world. But Dee was often charged with over-stepping the mark.
While studying at Cambridge University, Dee had designed a mechanical flying beetle for a production of Aristophane's 'Pax'. It was so life-like the serious charge of sorcery was bought against him by some of his misinformed peers. Later in life, Mary Tudor imprisoned him for conjuring magic to cause the cessation of her life. The reason for this incarceration is commonly ascribed to Dee's horoscope reading of soon-to-be Queen Elizabeth I - it foretold the death of Mary. Dee was also thrown out of the King's court in Poland, under command of the Pope for dealing in the conjuring of dark spirits.
At the time, mathematical insight was considered equivalent to the possession of magical powers. This belief also saw Dee incarcerated and charged with 'calculating' in 1555. The pinnacle of his involvement with the occult came after years of laborious study, his academic pursuits failed to yield the insights he so desired. Dee admitted to himself he would never master the ability to scry, but he eventually came across his ticket into spirit communication - Edward Kelly (1555-1595).
Dee and Kelly spent many years together transcribing the knowledge of the spirit world. Kelly made these contacts by peering into an Aztec obsidian (volcanic glass) mirror. The pair ceased their partnership after the spirits instructed them to sleep with each others wives (they did - Mrs Dee apparently not too pleased with the situation). Over the years they had made a solid relationship with a nine-year-old half angel, half elfin girl called Madimi. Dee named one of his daughters after this celestial creature - Madimi helped them transcribe the Enochian tongue (language of God/angels/pre-fall of man). The language is complex, its alphabet and syntax make for fascinating study. We must conclude from its discovery that Kelly was either a linguistic genius or in true discourse with angelic forces. Wherever one sits their plump behinds upon the fence, Dee's story is captivating. Albarn himself said: "It's just amazing how much colour there is in his ideas. Just imagine the English now if we had kept that spirit in our hearts."
We are promised an 18 track record - listing posted below. The opera is set to be performed in its entirety at Wiltshire's One Fest on April 18 - tickets available through Livemusic
Dr Dee tracklisting:
'The Golden Dawn
'Apple Carts'
'Oh Spirit Animate Us'
'The Moon Exalted'
'A Man of England'
'Saturn'
'Coronation'
'The Marvelous Dream'
'A Prayer'
'Edward Kelley'
'Preparation'
'9 Point Star'
'Temptation Comes In The Afternoon'
'Watching the Fire That Waltzed Away'
'Moon (Interlude)'
'Cathedrals'
'Tree Of Life'
'The Dancing King'
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